ISBN: 978-978-968-294-2 Proceedings of First & Second International Conferences of the Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (NAEGE), A LEAD PAPER (2016) Lagos, Nigeria, 2016 & 2017 (Vol. 1), 2018. Sustainability of Structures and Environment: Challenges for Engineering Geology Profession in the 21st Century Akpokodje E.G. Department of Geology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Corresponding E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The concepts of sustainable development and sustainability stipulate that human economic and social development should take place without irreversible damages to the carrying capacity of the Earth's natural environment and significant depletion of non-renewable resources. The sustainable management of the Earth's finite natural resources in the face of unprecedented global population growth and climate change is one of the most profound challenges facing human society in the 21st century. Although an integrated and holistic resource management approach encompassing all disciplines has been recognized and recommended, sectoral and disciplinary approaches are still prevalent in practice. In order to enable engineering geologists play a more active role in the trans-disciplinary resource management approach and contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of engineering structures and the environment, a paradigm shift from the traditional study of planet earth as isolated discrete components to the concept of integrated whole earth system approach (Earth System Science) is imperative. This involves knowledge of the interactions between all the components of the earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere) and embraces a systems thinking approach. Engineering geologists should not only focus on the geological factors controlling the structural stability of civil engineering structures, but also on the present and future environmental, economic and social issues including decision-making, policy, and governance. A critical requirement is the establishment of a close and functional communication between the engineering geologists and all other stakeholders involved in the pursuit of sustainable development and sustainability. This paper discusses the challenges of the sustainability of civil engineering structures and global environment in the 21st century and makes suggestions on how engineering geologists can play a more pivotal role in achieving a sustainable built and natural environment for both present and future generations. Keywords: Sustainability, structures, environment, environmental geology, integrated approach, climate change, population growth, transdisciplinary. Introduction irreversible damage to the productivity capacity of the natural global environment is at the heart of the “global Human society is currently facing several change” problem. unprecedented global challenges. These include; exponential growth in population, urbanisation and industrialisation, resources depletion, food, water and energy security, poverty, environmental sustainability, climate change impact, biodiversity loss, natural hazards, etc. These challenges threaten the future of humanity and the integrity of the carrying capacity of the earth’s ecosystems. The world is currently experiencing the largest increase in population and urban growth (Fig. 1). From about the 1950s, approximately 90 million new people are added to the world population yearly. The greatest population growth occurs in urban centres as well as developing Note • 90 million new people added each year countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The th rd • Nigeria is 7 most populous nation in 2015 and will be 3 unprecedented population growth has caused enormous by 2050 demand on the productive capacities of Planet earth Fig. 1: Projected Population of the World which is now unable to sustain the demand of the growing human population. This has in turn given rise to The report of the UN World Commission on over exploitation of virtually all earth resources. Environment and Development (Our Common Future, Therefore, meeting the needs of more and more people 1978) formally introduced the concept of sustainable (higher production & consumption) without causing development which stipulates economic and social 1 2 NAEGE Conferences Proceedings, Vol. 1, 2018. development without irreversible damage to the earth's Sustainability, Engineering Geology and natural environment and the depletion of nonrenewable Environmental Geology resources (Fig. 2). The flexibility of the definition makes room for different disciplines to develop feasible The global problems are highly complicated and solutions that are communicated across various interconnected. Traditional discipline-based disciplines (Daly, 1990) with the ultimate goal of knowledge, methodologies and approaches are no obtaining a solution that is acceptable environmentally, longer sufficiently effective in addressing these economically and socially. The Earth Summit that complex and interconnected global problems which cut followed in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, adopted a across disciplines, sectors and regions. Therefore, an detailed global plan of action (Agenda 21) and inclusive, holistic and interdisciplinary (or commitment of member nations to economic multidisciplinary) approach is required. Global development and human growth without destroying the environmental concerns emerged in the late 1960s life-support systems of the earth. because of the great difficulties in meeting the needs of the rapidly increasing human population and the corresponding increasing demands on the finite and depleting resources of the earth. Sustainability Science, Environmental Science, Engineering Geology and Environmental Geology have central roles to play in the formulation and implementation of appropriate sustainable solutions to global problems. These disciplines show considerable congruence between them (Fig. 3) (Akpokodje, 2016, in press). For example, they (i) focus on the understanding of Earth Systems, (past, present & future) and (ii) utilize multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Fig. 2: Interrelations between the three Pillars of Sustainable Development Fig. 3: Interrelations between Environment-Sustainability Science and Environmental Geosciences NAEGE Conferences Proceedings, Vol. 1, 2018. 3 Environmental Science and Sustainability Science enhancing human social-economic and ecological well- being currently threatened by our current practices Environmental Science can be simply defined as the which pollute the environment. In contrast, study of the biological and physical components of the sustainability is the destination of the process. natural environment (plants, animals, soils/rocks, air, and water) as well as the socio-political organizations, The word “Sustainability” is widely used in institutions and structures created by humankind using Environmental Science, especially in terms of natural science and technology. In other words, it is an resources. According to Botkin and Keller (2003), interdisciplinary study of how humankind affects other sustainability has two scientific meanings; (i) living and non-living physical systems of the earth's Sustainable resource harvest means that the same environment. It is a relatively new and highly quantity of resource can be harvested annually and (ii) A multidisciplinary, inclusive and holistic field which sustainable ecosystem is an ecosystem from which a incorporates knowledge from all disciplines (biological, resource can be harvested and the ecosystem is still able physical, and social sciences) to address environmental to maintain its essential functions and properties. issues. It gained prominence as an applied science Okiwelu and Noutcha, (2016) opined that sustainability discipline in the 1970s because of the increasing public is one of three themes in Environmental Science; the awareness for definite actions to address environmental other two are human population and global warming. problems and the need to use a multi-disciplinary approach in analyzing complex environmental Engineering Geology and Environmental Geology problems. Geology, the study of the earth, became recognized as a “Sustainability Science” was formally introduced as a branch of the Physical Sciences in 1786. Engineering new academic field in 2001 at the World Congress in Geology and Environmental Geology are relatively new Amsterdam, “Challenges of a Changing Earth 2001”, sub-disciplines that were not generally integral parts of jointly organized by the International Council for traditional textbooks or curricula of Geology. Other sub- Science (ICSU), the International Geosphere-Biosphere disciplines within this so-called “non-traditional Programme (IGBP), the International Human geology” include Forensic Geology, Medical Geology, Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Geoindicators, etc. Change, and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). It is an interdisciplinary approach of The earth systems have changed more rapidly in the past achieving a truly sustainable global society by 60 years than any other times in human history. integrating all disciplines and policy. The website of the Geoscientists (including Geologists) have a new and Proceedings of National Academy of Science of the critical role to play in this emerging dispensation. In Unite States of America (PNAS) defined “Sustainability addition to their traditional role in the earth-resource Science